Dubai Help

tashmatthews

Hello

Just after a bit of advice please:

We are travelling to Dubai 2 adults, for a week, staying in the Atlantis so water-park is free

Im after advice as to what people would say is a must visit for attractions in Dubai please?

Also any advice as to what to do and not?

And how much is the UK £ worth against the dirham

Thanks in advance

macman

When are you going? The heat in August will be a severely limiting factor if you are going imminently. This week it's hitting the mid-40's.

Voyager2002

Rumour has it that the gold market and camel racing are the top attractions.


What not to do: never attempt to drink alcohol; never attempt to speak to a woman who is not your relative; do not get into any kind of conflict with local people (not even accidentally bumping into someone in a crowded space); do not do anything that would arouse a suspicion that you were trying to steal something; and of course do not consider taking drugs (including substances like painkillers that are legal here but banned there).


Hope you have lots of fun!

tashmatthews

macman wrote: »

When are you going? The heat in August will be a severely limiting factor if you are going imminently.

End of September

tashmatthews

Voyager2002 wrote: »

Rumour has it that the gold market and camel racing are the top attractions.


What not to do: never attempt to drink alcohol; never attempt to speak to a woman who is not your relative; do not get into any kind of conflict with local people (not even accidentally bumping into someone in a crowded space); do not do anything that would arouse a suspicion that you were trying to steal something; and of course do not consider taking drugs (including substances like painkillers that are legal here but banned there).


Hope you have lots of fun!

Ha, I have read all of these and warned my husband as he's the short fuse!!! :rotfl:

macman

You can drink alcohol with no problem in most Western hotels. Just don't ever do it in public, or buy take-away booze, or offer it to an Emirati, should you see one, which is unlikely once you've cleared Immigration.
The drug that catches most people out is codeine, which is strictly prescription only in the UAE

peachyprice

macman wrote: »

You can drink alcohol with no problem in most Western hotels. Just don't ever do it in public, or buy take-away booze, or offer it to an Emirati, should you see one, which is unlikely once you've cleared Immigration.
The drug that catches most people out is codeine, which is strictly prescription only in the UAE

Except for the Emirati men you see downing pints in hotel bars

OP, you can stock up at Duty free while waiting for your luggage if you want alcohol to keep in your room, that's perfectly acceptable and you can ask them to empty the minibar fridge to put it in. Alcohol in bars and restaurants is very expensive so lots of people do this. I personally don't bother, I find it too hot to drink.

There aren't any banned medications, there is a 'controlled substance' list same as any other country, which if you want to take anything on it you just need to take a copy of your prescription and keep it in its original packaging.

Exchange rate is around AED4.8 to £1, I round up to £5.

You're a bit out of they way from anything else staying on The Palm, everything will be a taxi ride away, which while easy are not particularly cheap, think local minicab prices, minimum fare is AED5, which is about £1, although it's a minimum AED 15 (£3) from a mall rank and AED25 (£5) from the airport rank. There is a metro station but the train just goes back and forth, you have to change to another metro or tram to get anywhere else.

As for things to do, it depends when you're going. If now you're a bit restricted by heat for outdoor activities. Although there's plenty to do indoors, skiing, ice skating, theme parks, the aquarium at Dubai Mall is better than the one at Atlantis. There's the Burj Khalifa that you can go to the top of. In the evening there are boat rides around the fountain at the base of it. There's the old town where the souks and abra boats are. A dune ride is great fun afternoon/evening out and ends in a BBQ. Really so much to do for any taste.

PompeyPete

If you want to see a bit of everyday life, then Dubai Creek is the place. Watch the dhows loading and unloading, or sailing in and out with their cargo. Take an abra across the creek, wander round the souqs in Deira.

A trip to the Irish Village for a pint and something to eat.

peachyprice

And all the while knowing you can walk around any time day or night without bumping in to crowds or drunken yobs!

Luke1066

Desert safari is great fun, at the top Burj Khalifa, do a brunch (on fridays), La Perle show